A year ago, Marty Griffin’s young Augusta Christian boys squad had stretches in which it played great basketball.The problem was sustaining it.On Tuesday night, that young team showed how much it’s grown in just one year’s time.The Lions went on the road and stormed past Augusta Prep, using relentless pressure and an up-tempo attack to earn a 75-57 victory.“That year of maturity has really helped,” Griffin said of his team, which moved to 3-0. “I think we’re able to maintain intensity for longer.

The holiday shopping season is off to a good start, according to many local retailers.

Out of 22 local businesses polled Monday by The Augusta Chronicle and The Columbia County News-Times, 18 said their Black Friday weekend sales were better than last year’s, two said their numbers were about the same and two said sales were down from last year’s.

Hope Seamon, the owner of La Dee Da Home Decor & Gifts in North Augusta, said she remembers the weekend as a blur.

Seven new Gold Cross ambulances will roll out onto the streets of Columbia and Richmond counties in about two weeks.

The 2012 models come equipped with high-tech equipment, including the wireless transmission of a patient’s status on an EKG monitor from the ambulance to the emergency room. Bluetooth capability also allows medics to remotely transmit completed paperwork to the hospital.

“If you’re here at 5 a.m. Friday, you’re late to the party. Everyone else has been shopping for eight hours already,” said Clinton Fain, 27, standing at the front of a crowd that waited for Sears to open at the Augusta Mall early Friday morning. Like many shoppers, he had been shopping through the night to make the most of Black Friday sales that started on Thanksgiving.

Lady Antebellum has announced that its Own the Night tour stop in Augusta will be May 22 at James Brown Arena. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at georgialinatix.com, (877) 4-AUGTIX or the Champion’s Box Office at James Brown Arena.

The tour will also feature Thompson Square.

“We can’t wait for 2012 and our first big headlining tour in arenas,” Hillary Scott said in a release. “We hope to create a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience and make some really special memories with our fans.”